📞 Emergency Numbers — Save These Now
Fire / Life Threatening
911
Power Outage / Sparks
Your Utility
Gas Leak
1-800-GAS-LEAK
Home Insurance
Your Policy Card
Common Home Emergencies
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Burst or Leaking Pipe
Act Immediately1
Shut off the main water valve Usually in basement, crawl space, or outside near meter. Turn clockwise to close.
2
Turn on a faucet Open a cold faucet to drain remaining pressure in the pipes.
3
Find the break Look for wet walls, dripping ceilings, or wet spots on floor near the pipe run.
4
Use pipe repair tape or clamp Hardware stores sell emergency pipe clamps ($5–$15). Temporary fix until a plumber arrives.
5
Call a plumber Document the damage with photos for your insurance claim.
Toilet Won't Stop Overflowing
Act Immediately1
Remove the tank lid Set it safely aside — it's heavy and fragile.
2
Push the flapper down That's the rubber disc at the bottom of the tank. Press it down firmly — water stops immediately.
3
Lift the float ball Lifting the float stops water from refilling.
4
Turn off supply valve Small valve behind the toilet at the wall. Turn clockwise to close.
5
Plunge the bowl Use a flange plunger (not a cup plunger). 10–15 firm plunges, then check. Repeat if needed.
I Smell Gas
Evacuate First1
Do NOT flip any switches Any spark — light switch, appliance, phone — can ignite gas.
2
Open windows and doors quickly As you move toward the exit — don't stop to investigate.
3
Leave immediately Get everyone and pets out. Leave the front door open.
4
Call from outside Call your gas company or 911 from outside — never from inside the home.
5
Don't re-enter Wait for the fire department to clear the home before going back in.
Power Outage
Address Today1
Check if it's just your home Look at neighbors' lights. If only yours, it's probably your main breaker or meter.
2
Find your breaker panel Usually in basement, garage, or hallway. Look for any tripped breakers (in the middle position).
3
Reset tripped breakers Push the tripped switch all the way to OFF, then flip to ON. One click should restore power.
4
If main breaker is tripped This is a large switch at the top of the panel. Reset the same way. If it trips again, call an electrician.
5
Neighborhood outage Report to your utility company online or by phone. Fridge stays cold ~4 hours if you keep it closed.
Roof Is Leaking
Address Today1
Contain the water Buckets and towels first. Move valuables and electronics away from the area.
2
Relieve ceiling pressure If the ceiling is bulging with water, carefully poke a small hole with a screwdriver to drain it — prevents a larger collapse.
3
Go into the attic (safely) Find where the water is entering. Often it's a failed flashing, missing shingle, or clogged valley.
4
Temporary fix Cover the area with a tarp weighted with boards — do NOT go on a wet or steep roof. Safety first.
5
Call a roofer Document everything with photos. Most homeowner insurance covers sudden leaks.
Furnace / Heat Stopped Working
Address Today1
Check the thermostat Set it 5° above current temp, make sure it's on HEAT not COOL, and check the batteries.
2
Check the furnace switch There's a wall switch near the furnace (looks like a light switch). Make sure it's ON.
3
Check the air filter A completely clogged filter shuts down the furnace. If it's gray and solid, replace it and try again.
4
Check the pilot light Older furnaces have a pilot — if it's out, follow the label on the furnace to relight it safely.
5
Still nothing? Call your HVAC company. In freezing weather, turn on a few faucets to a drip to prevent pipe freeze.
Clogged / Slow Drain
Fix This Week1
Try a drain snake first A $10 plastic hair snake (Zip-It tool) gets 80% of bathroom clogs in under 2 minutes.
2
Baking soda + vinegar Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, then 1/2 cup white vinegar. Cover, wait 15 min, flush with hot water.
3
Check the P-trap Under the sink — put a bucket under it, unscrew the curved section, and clean out the clog inside.
4
Avoid Drano in bad clogs Liquid drain cleaners can damage older pipes and often don't work on solid clogs.
Smoke / CO Detector Beeping
Don't Ignore1
Chirping every 30–60 sec Low battery. Replace the battery first. Most use a 9V battery.
2
Continuous alarm — smoke Get everyone out first. If you see smoke or smell it, call 911 outside.
3
Continuous alarm — CO Carbon monoxide is invisible. Evacuate immediately, even if you feel fine. Call 911 from outside.
4
Replace detectors Smoke detectors last 10 years, CO detectors last 5–7 years. Check the date on the back.
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Not an emergency, but new to all this?
The Beginner's Guide covers the 10 most important things every homeowner should know — before anything goes wrong.
Read: Beginner's Homeowner Guide →